Lawn care in autumn: 5 tips for a beautiful autumn lawn from Plantura
The hot summer months can be quite stressful for your lawn. This requires extra care in the fall. While we're not lawn experts, thankfully we know someone who is. In an interview, our friends at Plantura explained what to look for when caring for your lawn in the fall to ensure you're perfectly prepared for winter. We hope you enjoy reading!
Tip 1: New lawn in autumn
When can you reseed the lawn?
Plantura: Generally, you can sow lawn seeds from April to October. However, early autumn is particularly suitable for establishing a new lawn, as the soil still retains enough warmth from the summer. Most grasses need a soil temperature above 8°C for germination, with 14 to 25°C being optimal. Sufficient moisture is also required, regardless of the type of lawn. The best conditions are usually found in late summer or early autumn, which is why this time of year is also best for sowing lawns. However, you should be careful not to sow the lawn seeds too late in the autumn, otherwise the cold may result in incomplete or uneven germination. But don't worry: If the grasses have overcome the germination phase before the first frosts, they are just as frost-tolerant as older grasses.
Tip 2: Repair the lawn
What do I do about bald spots?
Plantura: If you don't want to create a completely new lawn, but just want to improve your existing one, autumn is also the right time. In our latitudes, lawn grasses are often exposed to quite significant temperature fluctuations. The result is a thinned and weakly growing lawn that is more easily overrun by weeds. However, with lawn overseeding—a special mixture for improving lawns—the lawn can be quickly made dense again, preventing weeds from spreading.
Tip 3: The last lawn mowing of the year
Should I mow my lawn in winter?
Plantura: The lawn should be mowed one last time before the first frost and snow. We recommend doing this by mid-November at the latest. It's best to mow the lawn fairly short, so the grass receives even light and can sprout evenly the following year. The lawn should also be cleared of grass clippings and fallen leaves, as otherwise the grass won't receive enough light and may grow unevenly the following spring. 
By the way : The lawn should not be mowed in winter, even though it continues to grow very slowly at temperatures above 12°C. Around March, the lawnmower can be used again.
Tip 4: Autumn fertilization for the lawn
How else can I help the lawn?
Regular fertilization is essential for a strong, green lawn, and not just in summer. Especially in autumn, after the stresses of the hot months and in preparation for the cold winter, the lawn needs nutrient support. Autumn fertilization is ideally carried out in late summer, between the end of July and the end of September, and requires a special autumn lawn fertilizer. There are special autumn fertilizers that have an extra high potassium (K) content. This increases frost resistance and strengthens plant tissue. At the same time, such autumn lawn fertilizers have a comparatively low nitrogen (N) content. Excessive nitrogen in autumn stimulates grass growth and leads to long, soft, and frost-prone blades of grass.
Tip 5: Water your lawn in autumn
Do I still need to water the lawn?
Plantura: Absolutely! Unfortunately, the misconception that the lawn no longer needs watering after the summer is quite widespread. It's especially important to provide the treated area with sufficient water after autumn fertilization. This is the only way the microorganisms living in the soil can break down the fertilizer and make the nutrients available to the plants. If the lawn isn't watered after fertilization, the effect will be significantly delayed. But even apart from autumn fertilization, the lawn needs a lot of water, especially in early autumn, as dry periods still occur frequently. In late autumn, the lawn only needs to be watered during persistent dry conditions and warmer temperatures.
Exclusive discount for all readers!
We thank Plantura for this fascinating interview. They also brought us a gift. With the discount code STADTGäRTNERxRASEN, you receive 15% off all Plantura lawn products.
